Calligraphic rondel by Stewart J. Thomas designed as a tattoo incorporating the names Ariana and Ellahi.
Lines of poetry from the Rubaiyat by Persian poet Omar Khayyam. Original calligraphy by Stewart J. Thomas.
Ceramic plate from Nishapur, Iran, 10th century C.E. The border in Kufic style Arabic script can be translated as “Knowledge: the beginning of it is bitter to taste, but the end is sweeter than honey.”
A beautiful double page spread from a calligraphed edition of the Quran. This is unusual in that the calligraphy is in the Persian nastaliq style and the decorations are free-flowing floral patterns. If anyone knows the provenance of this piece, … Read More
e-luce-fu:
Masjed Nasir-al-Molk, Shiraz, Iran. The great strength of Iranian architecture is the use of light!
“Out of pain and problems have come the sweetest songs, and the most gripping stories. Bring them home, so that they may live another day. These memories will never fade.” Persian calligraphy by Stewart J. Thomas Read More
Yar-e-Azizam “My good friend” Persian calligraphy by Stewart J. Thomas.
Mawlana Rumi wrote these two lines about the lover and the beloved. I am not aware of a translation into English. I shall undertake to translate it myself, but in the meanwhile if someone knows of a translation please let … Read More
Azadi, meaning Freedom, original calligraphy by Stewart J. Thomas
“If you want light, you must light a fire,” poetry by Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, known by most simply as Rumi, the great poet who can be claimed by several modern nations, but who wrote in Persian (Farsi) in … Read More
Silkscreen and calligraphy in ink on artist-made paper; original artwork by Stewart J. Thomas.
The Ancient One – “Yeganeh Ghadim” – an epithet of the divine. Original calligraphy by Stewart J. Thomas.
Persian (Farsi) calligraphy by Stewart J. Thomas, selection from the poem of Jalaludin Rumi, known in English as “Oh Soul, you worry too much”
bahar23:
Library Entrance #Tehran #Iran (at Imam Khomeini Square / میدان امام خمینی)
National Library and Museum, Tehran
This rondel features original calligraphy and translation into Persian (Farsi) by Stewart J. Thomas of the Buddhist prayer:
May I be free from fear. May I be free from suffering. May I be happy. May I be filled with loving … Read More
Original calligraphy design by Stewart J. Thomas: the design is made up of repeating elements of the word “mehr” meaning love in Persian (Farsi).
As we approach the celebration of No Ruz, the Iranian New Year which begins at the Vernal Equinox (usually March 21st in the Gregorian calendar), I am presenting a series of photos of the “Haft Sin” from previous years. This … Read More
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” written by calligrapher Stewart J. Thomas, in English around the border of each piece, and in half lines within each frame in Persian (Farsi). Background and edges … Read More
A modern and loose rendition of the kufic style of Arabic calligraphy, this phrase renders “In this world, not of this world” in Persian (Farsi): “Andar donya, nah as donya.”
Persian (Farsi) translation of “I am the fire that lives only in the rain.” Original Persian (Farsi) calligraphy by Stewart J. Thomas on marbled paper.
“Yeki bood, Yeki nabood” is the traditional beginning of Iranian stories: “Once there was, once there wasn’t … ” and so the tale begins. Persian (Farsi) calligraphy by Stewart Thomas.
